Automatic sprinkler



' (No Model.) 7

J. GLAPP.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER.

N0. 425,753. Patented Apr. 15, 1890.

W I H in: am Inns cm, movoumm, WAMINGYQII. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH CLAPP, OF EVANSTON, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLAPP AUTOMATIC FIREEXTINGUISHER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,753, dated April15, 1890.

Application filed June 13, 1889. Serial No. 314,123. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH CLAPP, of Evanston, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Sprinklers, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side view of asprinkler embodying the features of my invention as the same appearswhen in its normal condition. Fig. 2 is a like view, partly in section,of the same, showing the parts in abnormal positions. Fig. 3 is a sideView of my improved sectional post, a portion being broken away to showthe interior construction. Fig. 4 is a View of a modified form ofconstruction, in which the outer plate is removed to show thearrangement of the parts. Fig. -5 is a like view in which the plate isremoved, showing a still further modification. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 aresectional views taken upon the lines U o, w w, and y g, respectively, asshown in Figs. 3, 4, and '5. Figs. 9 and 10 are side views of saidsectional post, showing the plate removed, as in Figs. 4 and 5, andindicating modified forms of construction, respectively. Fig. 11 is asectional view taken upon the line 0c 00, Fig. 9; and Fig. 12 is a likeview taken upon the line z .2, Fig. 10.

Like letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to so construct a sectional postconsisting of metal parts held together by means of fusible sol-' (lerfor normally retaining a valve upon its seat that the members upon whichthe direct strain is placed may form a series of direct positivebearings, which, while they serve to relieve the soldered joints fromstrain, may be wholly inclosed and protected from corrosive action,thereby enabling the sprinkler to be submitted to the varying conditionsto which it may be subjected-such as heat, cold, Water-hammer, andcorrosion-for an indefinite period without becoming impaired.

Refering to the drawings,a, Figs. 1 and 2,1'epresents adistributing-pipe corresponding to that of the usual automaticfire-extinguishing system, to which is attached, by means of ascrew-thread or otherwise, a frame Z2, having the usual deflector 0attached thereto opposite to the mouth of the pipe, which is normallyclosed by a valve d, held to its seat upon the pipe a by means of asectional post E, in which are embodied the novel features of myinvention, and which consists of two or more independent membersarranged end to end and in a common plane, so as to bear loosely uponeach other, inclosed within coverings or shields composed, preferably,of metal plates held together by means of fusible solder, whereby saidindependent members are protected and the points of bearing thereofwholly secured from corrosion, substantially as indicated in the variousfigures.

As shown in the drawings, f g h represent pieces of sheet metal-such asbrass or phosphor-bronze-which are placed end to end against each otherand arranged in the same plane, one or more of the meeting portionsbeing tapered or rounded, as shown at g g, so as to permit a pivotalbearing upon each other, thereby inclining said pieces to fall apartwhen not supported by supplemental means in the positions described.

Upon one or both sides of the direct supthe plates j with a lateralstrengthening-rib j, which may be formed by bending the metal uponitself, as shown. I also prefer to place the bearing-points g slightlyeccentric to the axis of the post, as more clearly shown in Fig. 4, inwhich case the separation of the parts may be positively initiated,though it is obvious that upon the fusing of the solder the members f g77. would not, under pressure, stand upon their pivotal bearings for aninstant, even though theoretically arranged in a straight line, formechanically they could not be so placed by ordinary workmanship. Afurther advantage of placing said bearingpoints eccentrically to theaxis of the post is that it insures a sliding contact upon the solderedjoints. as distinguished from a direct separation, or what is commonlyknown as a breaking contact.

By reason of my improved construction the sectional post may be renderedsufficiently strong to sustain any strain which may be necessary toplace upon it and to withstand the shock of Water-hammer, While thepoints of bearing are entirely protected and con- 'cealed from view. Itis obvious that said construction may be modified without departing fromthe principle of my invention.

' In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown the part 9 of the full width of the postand tapered at the ends. In Fig. 4 I have shown it narrower, while aportion h of the part his extended upwardly contiguous to its edgenearly to the part f. An independent piece 7L2 is also inserted-as afilling in lieu of the solder upon the opposite side or edge. In Figs. 5and 9 the intermediate parts 9 are surrounded on all sides with solderand entirely hidden from View.

In my application filed September 4, 1888, Serial No. 284,520, I haveshown a sectional post having a member tapered to pivotally bear uponthe axis of the cap, the body-of which member is extended laterally fromsaid axis, a secondary member having one end resting against the frameand the other provided with a positive eccentric point of bearing uponsaid first member, the main body of one of said members being inclosedwithin the other, and the pivotal point or points of bearing beingformed by a lateral extension of one of said members, the latter beingarranged in parallel planes, and hence illilftke no claim herein to suchconstruction;

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic sprinkler, the combination, with a valve and frame,of a sectional post having its opposite ends bearing upon the cap andframe respectively, said post being composed of primary membersconsisting of flat metallic plates placed end to end, their flat surfacebeing in the same vertical plane, the points of bearing of which areeccentric to the axis of the post, supplemental members consisting offlat metallic plates shorter than the combined length of said principalmembers, arranged contiguous thereto and attached directly to the flatsurfaces of said primary members by means offusible solder, saidsectional post being independent and self-supporting as distinguishedfrom one having a lateral connection with the frame, substantially asshown and described.

2. In an automatic sprinkler, the combination, with a valve and frame,of a sectional ,post composed of independent members placed end to endto receive the direct bearing strain and arranged in the same plane,

with the pivotal points of bearing upon their meeting ends eccentric tothe axis of the post, and supplemental plates attached thereto by meansof fusible solder, whereby said principal members may be incl'osedwithin said plates and have a sliding contact thereon upon the fusing ofthe solder, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination, with a cap and frame of an automatic fireextinguisher, of the plates f g h, placed end to end, with pivotal endbearings upon each other in a common plane, but eccentric to their axes,supplemental plates j, and fusible solder 7c, substantially as shown anddescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presenceof two subscrib: i'ng witnesses, this 3d day of June, 1889.

J OSEPII CLAPP.

Witnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, J. HALPENNY.

